The Swedish prosecution has asked Stockholm District Court to sentence Ian Lundin, former chairman of Lundin Oil (now Orrön Energy), to ten years in prison and ex‑CEO Alex Schneiter to six years for complicity in war crimes. Prosecutor Henrik Attorps argues that between 1999 and 2003, Lundin Oil collaborated with Sudan’s Islamist government to secure oil fields by enabling military and militia offensives that killed or displaced thousands of civilians in what is now South Sudan. Prosecutors also want the pair detained pending the verdict, citing flight risk given their financial means and foreign residency.
Sudan’s civil war pitted government forces against southern rebels. Lundin Oil, a Swedish–Canadian company, held concessions in Block 5A of southern Sudan. Human‑rights groups long alleged the company cooperated with Khartoum’s military operations, prompting a decade‑long investigation. The indictment was filed in 2021 and the trial—Sweden’s largest ever—opened in September 2023. It is unprecedented in the country for trying business leaders for international war crimes.
The defendants deny wrongdoing and claim they tried to improve conditions through aid. If convicted, they face prison, a ten‑year business ban and forfeiture of approximately 2.3 billion SEK in profits. Orrön Energy’s reputation could suffer, while victims from affected areas in Sudan may see recognition and possible reparations.
Human‑rights groups have welcomed the prosecution’s strong stance. Defence lawyers call the charges unfair, arguing the executives lacked control over Sudanese forces. Observers say the case signals growing accountability for corporate complicity in atrocities.
The trial is scheduled to conclude in May. A verdict later in 2026 could set a precedent for holding corporate leaders responsible for war crimes. Appeals are expected regardless of outcome.
An 18‑year‑old man was shot on a public bus in Tyresö, a suburb south of Stockholm, on Wednesday afternoon and later died of his injuries. The shooting occurred around 15:00 as bus 824, operated by Nobina, stopped near Tyresö gymnasium (upper‑secondary school). About 20 passengers, many of them students, were on board. A gunman boarded the bus, fired multiple shots and fled on foot. The bus driver alerted his employer, who contacted police. Officers cordoned off the area, evacuated passengers and launched a search with dogs and helicopters.
Schools in the area, including Tyresö gymnasium, Nybodaskolan and Dalskolan, were placed on lockdown. Crisis teams were deployed and Bollmoradalens kyrka (church) opened its doors for anyone needing support. On Thursday morning police confirmed the victim had died. No arrests have been made. Surveillance cameras on the bus captured parts of the incident and police are reviewing footage and conducting witness interviews.
The attack comes amid Sweden’s ongoing struggle with gun violence. Tyresö is generally considered a calm residential area, making a deadly shooting on public transport particularly alarming. Police say the victim had no known criminal connections; the shooter’s motive remains unknown.
Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson condemned the attack. Local officials expressed shock and emphasised support for students and residents. Flowers have been laid at the bus stop. The investigation is classified as murder. Government debates on tougher sentencing and surveillance measures may intensify in the wake of the killing.
Swedish mining company Boliden issued a profit warning after seismic activity severely damaged its Garpenberg mine, one of Europe’s oldest and most profitable zinc–silver operations. Production has been cut to 30 percent of capacity and may remain at that level for the rest of 2026. The company said the damage reduced first‑quarter EBITDA by approximately 400 million SEK. Analysts warn that continued reduced output could cost billions of kronor over the year. Boliden’s share price fell sharply—over 15 percent at the open on Thursday—wiping out significant market value.
Garpenberg suffered structural damage after a series of mine‑induced seismic events. The upper sections of the Lappberget ore body sustained the worst damage, and full inspections could take months. Boliden had recently posted strong results and signalled plans for debt reduction and extra dividends. The profit warning reverses those expectations and raises concerns about safety, insurance costs and the reliability of operations in seismically sensitive mines.
Boliden shareholders face steep losses and potential dividend cuts. Around 500 workers at Garpenberg face uncertainty. Suppliers and local businesses could see reduced orders. CEO Mikael Staffas acknowledged the gravity of the situation and said the company may need to increase investment to access alternative ore bodies.
Analysts criticised Staffas’s public comments for deepening market panic. Christian Kopfer from Handelsbanken, a Swedish bank, called the share‑price reaction excessive but said the CEO’s messaging made things worse. Boliden will investigate the damage, update production forecasts and may need to suspend dividends. Regulators could demand stricter safety measures at underground mines.
Sweden’s national special police unit raided the Russian‑owned aluminium smelter Kubal (Kubikenborg Aluminium AB) in Sundsvall on Thursday morning, arresting two people in senior positions on suspicion of serious sanctions violations. Kubal is Sweden’s largest aluminium producer and is owned by Russian company Rusal, linked to sanctioned oligarch Oleg Deripaska. Prosecutors say the suspected offences could harm the security of Sweden and Europe under EU sanctions against Russia. Following the raid, the Centre Party (Centerpartiet) renewed its call for the Swedish state to place the plant under compulsory administration, arguing it should not be controlled from Moscow. The party’s economic‑policy spokesperson Martin Ådahl told Dagens Industri that nearly a billion kronor in profits have flowed to the Russian owners since the war in Ukraine began.
Katrin Westling Palm has stepped down as director general of Skatteverket (the Swedish Tax Agency) after nine years, effective 18 May. She will move to a role in the Regeringskansliet (Government Offices) working on AI projects. Westling Palm and two other senior officials are under police investigation for allegedly violating confidentiality rules by publishing information about businessman Ola Nordquist on the agency’s website. Finance Minister Elisabeth Svantesson praised Westling Palm’s service. Fredrik Rosengren, currently head of Kronofogdemyndigheten (the Swedish Enforcement Authority), will succeed her as Tax Agency chief.
Minutes from the Riksbank’s (Sweden’s central bank) penningpolitiskt möte (monetary‑policy meeting) on 18 March show that deputy governor Anna Seim cautioned that an escalating Iran conflict could push Swedish inflation well above the 2 percent target by raising energy and goods prices. The Riksbank held its policy rate unchanged at 1.75 percent and signalled no change through the rest of the year. Higher oil prices from the Middle East conflict have already prompted several Swedish banks to raise fixed‑rate mortgage offers. Analysts say a sustained price rise may dampen the housing market and force the Riksbank to reconsider its rate path.
A girl of primary‑school age was struck by a van near a school in Kalmar on Wednesday afternoon. She was conscious when taken to hospital by ambulance. Police are investigating the circumstances and assessing whether to charge the driver with failing to yield and causing bodily harm.
Moose calves are fewer and weaker across southern Sweden, according to researchers cited by Svenska Dagbladet. Increased hunting pressure, disease and parasites are blamed for a decline of over 15 percent in moose numbers over 21 years. The trend threatens both biodiversity and Sweden’s hunting traditions, which are culturally significant in rural communities.
An independent news digest for the English-speaking community in Sweden. We produce original summaries based on publicly available news. Not affiliated with or endorsed by any publication we reference.